TOYOTA'S smallest car is the iQ, which is about the same size as a smart but will seat three adults and a child because of its clever design.

Powered either by the 1.0-litre engine from the Aygo and Peugeot 107, or the company's 1.33 super-efficient unit, it is better to drive, much more practical and more comfortable than the smart.

The 1.33 engine is more expensive, not much faster, less economical and has higher emissions than the 1.0-litre so it's not to be recommended.

To stuff so much into such a small space, the designers had to come up with some clever engineering.

The flat fuel tank is under the floor and special compact air conditioning, slim seats and a dash with extra space on the passenger side all make extra people space.

Performance in the 1.0-litre is not achingly slow and it can even handle longer journeys with reasonable ease. Comfort is fair and handling very good.

With three adults and a child aboard there is no luggage space at all. Standard kit includes, electric front windows and remote locking, traction and stability control and a six-speaker stereo - but you have to turn it up fairly high at speed.

It also comes with ten airbags, 50/50 split-fold back seat, deadlocks and an alarm.